dija
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
48
Posts :
483
Posted : Jun 5, 2011 20:42:19
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Hi guys,
Been a while since i've been around on Isra. No the music hasn't died, I just had to hit pause for a while. I am working on several projects at the moment and I'll cut to the chase.....
BEFORE WE GET STARTED YES I WOULD BE SHIPPING OVER SEAS WITH ACTUAL SHIPPING COSTS AND I WOULD BE INFORMED AS TO THE POWER STANDARD IN YOUR COUNTRY TO ENSURE YOU GET A WORKING PRODUCT.
I've been a workstation builder all of my life for desktop computers. I know a few of these exist with audio as their specialty. However, I was thinking of opening a store that sold silent desktop audio workstations. I get wholesale pricing on all PC parts as well as wholesale pricing on most audio brands.
Do you think there would be much interest in a company that sold workstations specifically made for audio production? They would be silent. Some of the more expensive models would even be rack mounts. I used to sell professional audio equipment so I still have those manufacturer ties. I would sell the computers bundled with whatever audio you wanted at only a 10% markup on PC parts. So basically if you got on newegg(yes, they are wholesale cost on newegg and even lower in many cases) and assembled the same machine it'd cost 10% more, however, you would not be able to get the audio portions of the computer at the rates I would offer. Here is why...
Most audio manufacturers have what is known as a MAP minimum advertised price. So I can cut deals but I can't advertise at a price lower than the MAP. However, when bundled with other things MAP goes out the window as its not applicable since I am not advertising a specific unit at a said price. So I would be able to sell you the PC workstation at barely over wholesale cost and I would also be able to sell you the audio gear at barely over wholesale cost. To give an idea the old M-Audio BX5a MAP value was 299.00 USD. I purchased them for as little as 179.00 USD. 299 is what zzounds and musiciansfriend sold them at. (note: i have much better manu. than m-audio that was just an example off the top of my head that i remember specific prices as i sold a lot of them).
Bottom line is you could get your soundcard unit that might cost 400 from one of the above mentioned sites at around ~300 USD and the computer hardware slightly marked up due to the labor my company puts in to customize and specialize each box per the users needs.
I would have several "generic" price bases low, medium, and high. Each could be modified to your will. However, each would already be tailored specifically for audio production. Your chosen OS would ship tweaked and optimized for DAW work. Of course the case would be silently water cooled and have dampeners and other technology implemented to make it silent.
Any feedback is appreciated guys! The reason I ask here is I looked and there are some companies doing this similar thing however they are charging out the ying yang for everything. So I am wondering what the general feedback is from both amateurs and professionals on this business model. I would basically only be making money for the time invested. I would not be making money off the parts. I know I said approximately 10% markup from wholesale on the PC parts but that is a generilization I have made as to actual cost. So a machine wholesaling for 1000 USD would run you 1100. Any professional audio parts you added such as soundcards, monitors, etc. Would be rock bottom prices that you probably have not seen anywhere unless it was used. That is the only way that I can sell such merchandise advertised cheaply by not specifying exactly how much I am selling it for but selling it as a package deal.
So the questions I ask is:
1. For those interested in a new workstation but you already have your audio gear is 10% markup from wholesale worth the while for you to purchase from me with warranty as opposed to trying to build it yourself. Every machine would be stressed under load for 48hr straight before shipping to ensure the thermal compounds and other things get burned in well and are functioning properly?
2. For those interested in workstation with audio gear I assume it'd definitely be worth it as you'd be getting the audio equipment new far CHEAPER than you could anywhere else. I am an authorized vendor for many manufacturers and you would be paying close to my cost on the audio equipments. Basically about the used ebay price for the same equipment.
3. For those only interested in audio gear I can work deals out with you but only on e-mail/telephone due to the MAP policy. The keyword in MAP is the A advertised price. So I would not advertise lower than MAP ever because that would risk my vendor eligibility. However I can sell at whatever price I want I can even give it away  Which I would do regularly based on the success of the company.
4. Of course I would buy ad space here at the wonderful isratrance site and forums and at the wonderful psyshop store.
Thanks and Cheers,
Input from amateurs and professionals alike is appreciated!
  http://www.youtube.com/user/trawhi (tutorials)
http://www.myspace.com/eusidmusic |
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